ISAE 3402 training in the UK is in growing demand. Financial services firms, SaaS providers, and outsourced service organisations need qualified practitioners. They need people who understand both ISAE 3402 and SOC 2 reporting standards.
The GRC Index ISAE 3402/SOC2 practitioner course covers both frameworks in one online programme. It is self-paced, practical, and built for professionals already working in risk, compliance, or audit.
This guide explains what the course covers, who it is for, and how to enrol today.
ISAE 3402/SOC2 practitioner training teaches professionals how to understand, implement, and audit against both standards. ISAE 3402 is the IAASB standard for service organisation controls assurance. SOC 2 is the AICPA equivalent widely required by US and UK enterprise clients.
Both standards appear regularly in vendor due diligence, client contracts, and regulatory reviews. They are used across financial services, SaaS, data processing, and managed service provider sectors.
A practitioner who understands both standards is significantly more effective. Most client engagements now require knowledge of both, particularly in UK firms operating globally.
Frameworks covered: ISAE 3402 (IAASB) and SOC 2 (AICPA)
Delivery:
Fully online, self-paced
Duration:
Approximately 8 to 12 hours
Level:
Professional,no prior ISAE/SOC 2 experience required
Enrolment:
Immediate access at training-and-certification
Available to:
Individuals and teams
This course is designed for working professionals in GRC, compliance, internal audit, and risk management. You do not need prior ISAE 3402 or SOC 2 experience to enrol. A basic understanding of internal controls and audit principles is helpful but not required.
The course is well suited for the following roles.
The course is also relevant for UK firms under FCA SMCR obligations. Senior managers overseeing outsourced functions need to understand what third-party assurance reports actually confirm.
The GRC Index ISAE 3402/SOC2 practitioner course is built around three core areas. Together, they give you working knowledge of both standards and the skills to apply them in real client and internal contexts.
This section covers the IAASB standard in detail. You will learn how ISAE 3402 reports are structured, what Type 1 and Type 2 engagements require, and how auditors approach control objectives and activities.
This section covers the AICPA SOC 2 framework. You will understand how the five Trust Services Criteria work, what the Common Criteria control categories require, and how Type 1 and Type 2 reports differ.
This section covers the fieldwork skills GRC practitioners need. It is the most practical part of the course and focuses on real-world application.
Understand the requirements of ISAE 3402 and SOC 2 reporting
Read and critically assess Type 1 and Type 2 assurance reports
Scope a service organisation engagement for either standard
Gather, document, and test control evidence to professional standards
Identify control deficiencies and communicate findings clearly
Advise clients or internal teams on which standard applies to their situation
The course is delivered entirely online and is fully self-paced. You access all modules immediately after enrolling at grci.net/education. There are no fixed session times, no cohort waiting periods, and no travel required.
The programme takes approximately 8 to 12 hours to complete. You can work through it over a single weekend or spread it across several weeks. Your progress is saved between sessions so you can resume exactly where you left off.
GRC compliance requirements change regularly. The course content is updated when significant regulatory developments occur, including updates to DORA, NIS2, and FCA guidance.
ISAE 3402 and SOC 2 expertise is in demand across the UK and EU. Organisations in financial services, SaaS, managed services, and data processing all need qualified practitioners who can work with both standards.
Since DORA became fully enforceable in January 2025, demand for ICT and service organisation assurance specialists has increased significantly. DORA requires ICT third-party providers serving financial entities to demonstrate documented control effectiveness over time.
Practitioners with ISAE 3402 and SOC 2 knowledge are positioned for the following career paths.
These roles typically carry salaries between 45,000 and 90,000 GBP in the UK, depending on seniority and sector. Demand in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Stockholm has grown in parallel with UK demand since DORA enforcement began.
DORA (EU):
ICT third-party providers must demonstrate ongoing control effectiveness
NIS2 (EU):
Essential and important entities face stricter assurance obligations
FCA SMCR (UK):
Senior managers must oversee outsourced function controls
Provision 29:
Boards declare material control effectiveness from FY 2026
Enterprise sales:
SOC 2 Type 2 is a standard requirement in B2B procurement
UK Cyber Bill:
MSPs and data centres face new assurance requirements
Enrolment is straightforward. Visit grci.net/education to access the ISAE 3402/SOC2 practitioner course. You receive immediate access to all modules after completing your registration. No approval process or prerequisites are required.
The course is available individually for professionals enrolling on their own account. Team training packages are available for organisations enrolling multiple team members. Contact GRC Index directly for group pricing and bespoke delivery options.
If your organisation is preparing for an ISAE 3402 or SOC 2 audit in the next six to twelve months, enrol your assurance team now. Building practitioner knowledge before audit preparation begins reduces both cost and elapsed time significantly.
The GRC Index practitioner course is live and available now.
What you get:
Full ISAE 3402 standard and reporting requirements
SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria and Common Criteria controls
Practical audit, evidence, and assurance skills
Self-paced online access, start immediately
Team packages available for group enrolment
Enrol now at grci.net/training-and-certification
ISAE 3402/SOC2 practitioner training teaches GRC and audit professionals how to work with both reporting standards. ISAE 3402 is the IAASB standard for service organisation controls assurance. SOC 2 is the AICPA equivalent required by US and UK enterprise clients. The GRC Index practitioner course covers both standards and the practical audit skills needed to apply them in real engagements.
The course is designed for compliance analysts, internal auditors, risk managers, GRC consultants, and IT professionals working in service organisations. It is also suitable for finance directors and heads of risk who need to understand what third-party assurance reports confirm. No prior ISAE 3402 or SOC 2 experience is required.
The course covers three core areas. First, ISAE 3402 standard requirements including Type 1 and Type 2 reports, control objectives, complementary user entity controls, and bridging letters. Second, SOC 2 Trust Services Criteria including the Common Criteria controls, all five TSC categories, and report types. Third, practical audit skills including evidence gathering, control testing, walkthrough documentation, and report writing.
The GRC Index ISAE 3402/SOC2 practitioner course is fully online and self-paced. You access all modules immediately after enrolment at grci.net/education. There are no fixed session times or scheduled cohorts. The course takes approximately 8 to 12 hours to complete and can be spread across multiple sessions.
ISAE 3402 and SOC 2 expertise is relevant for GRC analyst, compliance officer, internal auditor, risk manager, third-party assurance specialist, IT auditor, and GRC consultant roles. Demand has grown significantly since DORA came into full enforcement in January 2025, creating new assurance requirements across financial services firms and ICT service providers in the UK and EU.
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